Me Before You: Book vs Film

Me Before You was such a successful novel that when it was announced that an adaptation was in the works, fans of the book were caught between hesitation and excitement. Even when the book's author, Jojo Moyes, was announced as the screenwriter, there were doubts. Because, when a book is that loved, you don't want it messed with. 

Fortunately, Moyes has proven with this screenplay that she is not just a brilliant novelist but also a great screenwriter, with a spot-on understanding of what works on screen and how to compact her story successfully into a feature film.

If it wasn't integral to the story then it wasn't included in the film. Did Will need to have a sister in order for us to appreciate the issues faced by his family? No. We had his parents for that. Do we need the tension at Lou's house, the sibling rivalry and animosity, or the claustrophobic nature of her home in order to appreciate the family? No. They can be packed into the small house and still be loving and supportive.

Though there are some minor character traits and side plots which are forgotten, the major one that may surprise fans of the book is the total absence of a particular maze and all the events which took place. Now it might seem like a whopping great omission but having revisited the story I can see why it was left out. There is no question that this was of huge importance in the book. It explains Lou and it allows Will to be the one who makes her face up this key moment in her life and start to move forward from it. Yet in the film there simply isn't time. Other elements would needed to have been cut in order to properly go into what happened in that maze or else it would have been thrown in almost as an afterthought. Either option just didn't seem to work. Moyes herself even tweeted a fan, explaining that they tried to fit it in but just couldn't figure out a way to do it properly. The people are still going in the same direction. We're just spared some of the specifics.

The casting is so impressive. Very unlike her Khaleesi role, Emilia Clarke IS Lou. She's cute and adorable and chatty and a little bit bonkers – in the best kind of way. Sam Claflin similarly takes on Will, an extremely complex character, with apparent ease. The supporting cast, from Janet McTeer to Charles Dance, are all equally awesome to watch. And this brilliant ensemble are guided through the story by director Thea Sharrock, who displays the same genius command of storytelling as Moyes. The whole team have really come together here to tell this much beloved story.

It's a delight to see that, after some authors who probably should have been consulted on their adaptations and weren't (and some who shouldn't have but were!), authors are finally being acknowledged for their talents, not ignored. We are in a new era now when authors of great books are afforded not just the courtesy of being consulted on the adaptations of their own stories but the opportunity to write the script themselves. Gillian Flynn did it with Gone Girl, Emma Donoghue did it with Room, and now Jojo Moyes has done a phenomenal job with Me Before You.

So get your bumble bee tights on and go and see this absolute treasure. Then go home and re-read the book!

Book – 5
Film – 4

Book vs Film Club: time to get gobblefunking about The BFG

Many of us were raised on the delights of a Roald Dahl novel (or five). Fans of The BFG, in particular, no doubt still remember the snozzcumbers, the tea with the Queen, that giant hand reaching in and grabbing Sophie, the many dreams in jars...

But The BFG is no longer consigned to our childhood memories. Now, my fellow human beans, there is a new adaptation for us to enjoy! And from Steven Spielberg, no less.

The Book vs Film Club was created for just such splitzwiggled events! The idea (in case you’re new to this!) is to read the book then see the film and – you guessed it – discuss both book and film and see which came out on top.

The BFG is due in cinemas in July so if you want to join in with all the gobblefunking then get over to Twitter (@bookvsfilmclub or #BookVsFilmClub) or Facebook and make yourself known.

And get reading!

New UK Trailer Arrives for Room Adaptation

The Book Vs Film Club will be kicking off 2016 with a look at Room, the adaptation of Emma Donoghue's book of the same name (she also wrote the screenplay!).

We're excited, then, to see this brilliant new UK trailer for the adaptation, which stars Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay.

For the book vs film review, check out Novelicious. Otherwise, the trailer is below.

To join the discussion, just use #BookVsFilmClub or check out @bookvsfilmclub on Twitter.

ROOM will arrive in UK cinemas on 15 January 2016.

The adaptation of Emma Donoghue's Room is phenomenal!

Room is one of those books that has such passionate fans that an adaptation is something that fills us with a heightened level of both excitement and terror. In this instance, the book's author wrote the screenplay which is also a bold move and one that could go dramatically either way.

 
The film arrived earlier than its January 2016 (earlier in the US you lucky things!) release date, thanks to the London Film Festival and my book vs film review can be found over at Novelicious.
 
Suffice it to say, I doubt any fans of the book will be disappointed.
 
Here's the link.

Final Mockingjay trailer and clip prepares fans for the end of Hunger Games

We’ve had four years of trailers, posters, clips, images, films, premieres, interviews… We've seen Katniss's journey progress, watched as she was sucked in to more of the Capitol's games and somehow found the will to carry on.

And now, the Hunger Games films are coming to an end with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2. And we have the final trailer which, for fans of both the books and films, is certainly an exciting and emotional 1 minute and 47 seconds. There's also a clip of the Star Squad to whet your appetite if you needed any more...

Based on the trilogy written by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 finally arrives in UK cinemas on 19th November.

The Martian: Book vs Film

Based on the novel by Andy Weir, The Martian is a film about one man’s fight for survival after he is mistakenly presumed dead by his fellow astronauts and left behind on Mars. He has a large amount of food and other supplies but not nearly enough to last him the years it will take before another space ship is scheduled to arrive back on the planet. Knowing this, Mark Watney must get to work and ‘science the shit’ out of a planet where nothing grows and his only ‘company’ is the abundance of disco music left by his commander, Melissa Lewis.

Andy Weir's phenomenal book is a great mixture of peril and laughter, as Watney is a man who uses humour to cope with stress. He is self-deprecating and witty and stops the book from ever being too miserable. Yet there is also A LOT of science in the book that many reader's have found slows the reading process down dramatically.

The film adaptation of The Martian is riddled with drama and peril, just like the novel. Will he manage to grow enough food? Will he manage to make water? Will another storm arrive to finish him off after he somehow survived the last one? Will he ever make contact with the people back home at NASA who believe him to be dead? These dramas make for a tense viewing experience that could have proven too much for some viewers – were it not for the fantastic sense of humour our hero Watney brings in the face of adversity. None of that humour is lost.

Watney leads the entire story and in that is its greatest treasure. He is bold, taking insane risks because there is no other way. When something fails, he gets back up and tries again. He does what he has to in order to survive, and that includes finding things to laugh at. Matt Damon does a phenomenal job of capturing the many sides to this brilliantly complex character, meaning that audiences will quickly come to love him and support him – and hope against hope that he finds a way home. Screenwriter Drew Goddard has understood the importance of Watney, allowing time in the screenplay for the viewer to really understand who he is and what drives him forward. This could so easily have been lost in the adaptation process because, of course, the book has plenty of time to explore it but the film does not.

The ensemble cast assembled for the film – including Jessica Chastain, Jeff Bridges and Chiwetel Ejiofor – are also a thing of wonder. There are all sorts of actors involved, of different age, gender, nationality and race. But the brilliance is that this is not done to be a gimic of any kind. There is no political correctness here, just a representation of the wider world in which we live – something many would argue is seriously lacking in cinema today. There are numerous relationships explored throughout the film – that of family, friends, work colleagues, etc. – but these are secondary to the goal at hand: get Mark Watney home.

Throw all of this against a Ridley Scott backdrop and you have something spectacular. There is an established human heart to this story but the Mars landscapes, the shots of his fellow astronauts travelling home without him, and the impact their stories have on the people back on Earth, throw this story out to a wider, more cinematic, film experience. Watney’s world becomes that much bigger as the film progresses, transforming this solitary story of survival into a wider tale of human connection and helping someone in need when all seems lost.

The Martian is a flawless adaptation that captures all the humour and drama of the novel. It trims down the science part of the novel and makes everything just a little bit 'nicer' but apart from that it works superbly well. The cast are fantastically honest in their performances, and Ridley Scott and Drew Goddard make for an exciting filmmaking team who clearly understand how to combine great character development with stunning scope. The film is best savoured on a large screen and, with the added 3D, it becomes truly immersive. This is a cinematic delight you’ll want to experience over and over.

Book: 5/5
Film: 5/5

LFF Highlights: Three Phenomenal Adaptations To Look Out For

The London Film Festival always brings great variety, including the weird and wonderful, the provocative and explosive, and the sweet and endearing. This year, LFF has brought audiences some staggeringly good adaptations for both book and film fans to enjoy, with three of these adaptations, in particular, really standing out. 

Firstly, there is the beautifully romantic Carol (The Price of Salt), based on Patricia Highsmith's novel. Cate Blanchett plays Carol opposite Rooney Mara and the production is completely breath-taking in all aspects. The direction is flawless, the script magnificent, the performances all spot-on and mult-faceted, and the gorgeous costumes and styles of the era entirely nostalgic. This is brave story-telling and a film that will stay with the viewer long after they've finished watching it.
(Carol is due for UK cinematic release on 27th November 2015)

If love-stories aren't your thing and you prefer weird and wonderful, then the brilliantly bonkers High-Rise may well be one for you - though this seems to be greatly dividing its audience with many either loving or hating it. Based on the JG Ballard novel from the 70s, the all-star (mostly British) cast includes Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Keeley Hawes, Sienna Miller and Elisabeth Moss. The story, about an apartment complex where the rich live at the top and the poor live at the bottom, starts relatively calmly and soon descends into chaos, violence and general debauchery. The soundtrack is something unlike anything you will have heard before and includes a Portishead cover of Abba's SOS, among other delights.
(High-Rise is expected in cinemas in early 2016)

Alternatively, the stand-out adaptation of the festival (and other festivals by all accounts!) has to be the gut-wrenching and magical Room, with a screenplay written by the book's author, Emma Donoghue. Brie Larson plays Ma along with young Jacob Tremblay as Jack and the film - much like the book - manages to capture all the innocence, horror and familial devotion of its characters. Larson's performance is riveting and, if there's any justice, she'll be a hot favourite come award season.
(Room is slated for UK release in January 2016)

ALL HAIL MACBETH! in two exciting new posters

The three witches have arrived in two brilliant new posters for the Macbeth adaptation due to arrive in UK cinemas on 2nd October.

 

MACBETH stars Michael Fassbender (Twelve Years A Slave, Shame, Hunger) and Academy-Award winner Marion Cotillard (Two Days, One Night, La Vie En Rose) plus Paddy Considine (The Bourne Ultimatum), David Thewlis (the Harry Potter series), Sean Harris (Prometheus), Jack Reynor (What Richard Did) and Elizabeth Debicki (The Great Gatsby).

MACBETH is the story of a fearless warrior and inspiring leader brought low by ambition and desire. A thrilling interpretation of the dramatic realities of the times and a reimagining of what wartime must have been like for one of literature’s most famous and compelling characters, a story of all-consuming passion and ambition set in war torn Scotland.

Two new Macbeth clips released

Two new clips have been released for the new adaptation of Shakespeare's play, Macbeth. With Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard in the lead roles, this is sure to be an exciting take on the classic story. The film also stars also stars Paddy Considine and David Thewlis and is directed by Justin Kurzel (Snowtown).

Macbeth is set for UK cinema release on 2nd October 2015.

Here are the clips:

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 - the verdict

 

Unsurprisingly, I had a fair amount to say about the latest Hunger Games film The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1. So much so that it was spread over a few sites. So here's my round-up.

For a comparison between the book (well the first half anyway) and the film, check out my book vs film review at The Hollywood News.

For my highlights from the film, check out '6 things to love about The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1' at Metro.

If - like me - you think Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen is worthy of so much more than a surfboard (not that there's anything wrong with surfboards!), check out 'Jennifer Lawrence deserves an Oscar for Katniss but why doesn’t The Hunger Games win big awards?'

What did you think of the film?

New Mockingjay Trailer Is SO GOOD!

"If we burn, you burn with us!"

Got the message, President Snow?



Can The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 just hurry up and arrive already?!

Jennifer Lawrence makes surprise appearance at Serena LFF screening

Film fans were stunned and delighted last night when Jennifer Lawrence, multi-award-winning star of The Hunger Games, X-Men: Days of Future Past and American Hustle, made a surprise appearance ahead of the London Film Festival screening of her new film, Serena, along with the film's director Susanne Bier.

The film is a relatively small part of the festival but with the two leads played by Lawrence and her Silver Linings Playbook co-star, Bradley Cooper, it was bound to generate plenty of interest – though clearly few had expected either of the stars to make an appearance for the film’s premiere.

The room erupted in rapturous applause as Lawrence was introduced and, after an impressive build-up about the 'huge' surprise, the star joked that if the surprise was actually popcorn and not her then she was leaving.

The audience were almost too in awe to laugh, though Lawrence was undeterred and continued in much the same tongue-in-cheek manner. When Bier said to the audience that she hoped people enjoyed the film, Lawrence quipped 'if you don't [like it] just don't tweet about it'.

Looking elegant and striking in a simple black dress jacket and heels, the actress was able to keep the jokes at bay just long enough to thank the audience for supporting Serena, a film that has been a long time coming. 'Thank you guys so much for being here,’ she said. ‘I hope you enjoy it.'

And then she was gone, her flight back to LA waiting for her.

After Lawrence's fleeting introduction the audience seemed far too excited to settle into the film straight away but as the lights went down the whole room seemed to share a collective sigh.

Any Tweets or status updates would have to wait until after the film.

#Bookvsfilmclub update: Take note before you go to sleep...

The current #bookvsfilmclub story is Before I Go to Sleep, based on the thrilling debut novel from SJ Watson and starring Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman and Mark Strong.

 

The film arrives in cinemas on 5th September. For more information on how to get involved, check out Novelicious or follow @bookvsfilmclub on Twitter.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay district posters arrive

President Snow has released some stunning new posters celebrating the very best of Panem. Check them out below...

3 - After shorting out, then quickly repairing District 3’s mainframe at the age of nine, Fibre Bissette, 32, has proven her fearlessness in the face of any challenge.

4 - The proud daughter of a deep-sea fisherman and a sixth-generation pearl diver, Naida Dolan, 22, channels her legacy as she proudly holds the day’s catch.

6 - Thought to have gasoline pumping through his veins, Malcolm Kastel, 31, is devoted to District 6’s mission of keeping Panem moving.

7 - Elias Haan, 26, has kept the axe handed down to him by his great-grandfather as a reminder of the hardships he and his great District have overcome.

9 - After a day in the fields, Triti Lancaster, 17, graciously offers a bundle of wheat to her fellow citizens of Panem.

10 - Raised amongst the herd, Felix Stam, 35, possesses a quiet understanding of the ways of animals and the circle of life that unites us all.

 

 

12 - Lily Elsington, 6, captures the spirit of the next generation of District citizens: ready, willing, and eager to fuel the Panem of tomorrow.

 

Based on the book by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - Part 1 is out in November!

Source: The Capitol

Alison Steadman and Brian Blessed lend their voices to children's book adaptation

Children's book 'The Fearsome Beastie' has done very well since its publication in 2011. The book, written by Giles Paley-Phillips, has gone on to win the People's Book Prize in 2012 and The Heart of Hawick Children's Book Prize in 2013.

Now, the book is being made into an animated adventure thanks to Slurpy Studios, who are turning the story into a short CGI animated film. Stars Brian Blessed and Alison Steadman are even on hand to bring life to the characters!

On the adaptation, Paley-Phillips told me: 'It really is a dream come true to have one of my books made into a film, I've always been passionate about animation so to see something I've written being adapted is very exciting.'

Work is still taking place on the project but it is scheduled to be finished this autumn and will hit the festival circuit soon after.

Praise for 'The Fearsome Beastie':

'We Like a lot. A terrific little picture book' - Julia Eccleshare, The Guardian

'Really Enjoyed this, it's inspired me' - David Walliams

'A Gruffalo style Monster Book with catchy rhymes and colourful pictures' - The Telegraph

'Wonderful rhymes and illustrations' - The Sun

'I loved the Grimm Brothers-esque ending' - Oliver Jeffers

Giles can be found on Twitter here and for more information on how the adaptation is going, check out the production diary at fearsomebeastie.com.

Just don't let the Beastie get you!

Author John Green on The Fault in our Stars film adaptation

'It's amazing to see a story that for a long time existed only in my imagination,' says author John Green in this lovely new featurette for The Fault In Our Stars.

He's certainly excited by the film - are you?

To join in the discussion, head to #bookvsfilmclub on Twitter and don't forget to check out the new featurette below which also shows a glimpse of the 'maybe okay will be our always' scene.

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS arrives in UK cinemas on 19th JUNE and stars Shailene Woodley as Hazel and Ansel Elgort as Augustus alongside Willem Dafoe, Sam Trammel and Laura Dern.

New clip from The Fault in Our Stars gets messy

For fans who've read the book of The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, the scene where Isaac seeks revenge is one of the greatest - simply because it's a moment of justice in a very unjust story.

The clip of that scene has now been released, showing that even with poor lungs, blindness and a leg missing, teenagers can sometimes still be teenagers - and get their own back.

To join in the debate about The  Fault in Our Stars, book and film, use the hashtag #bookvsfilmclub on Twitter.

Enjoy!

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS will star Shailene Woodley as Hazel and Ansel Elgort as Augustus alongside Willem Dafoe, Sam Trammel and Laura Dern, and will arrive in UK cinemas JUNE 19.

J.K. Rowling’s ‘The Casual Vacancy’ Adapted Into HBO/BBC Miniseries

The success of The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling has meant that HBO and the BBC have now teamed up to adapt the novel into a three-hour miniseries.

When the book was first published, the fact that it flew up the charts came as no surprise. It was the first thing Rowling had written since the Harry Potter books had come to an end. It was nothing like Harry Potter either – written for an adult market about adult themes. The Casual Vacancy follows the lives of the adults and teenagers of a small village in the English countryside as many people vie for the seat on the local council left vacant by the man who has recently died. As Rowling delves deeper into the lives of the village’s inhabitants, divides are revealed between rich and poor, wives and husbands and parents and children.

The adaptation has been written by Sarah Phelps (Eastenders), Jonny Campbell (In the Flesh) is set to direct and Ruth Kenley-Letts (The Hour) is producing. There is no word on cast as yet but production is set to begin this summer in south west England. Rowling herself will be involved as executive producer.

Source: Variety

Once: Film vs Play

Once was a small film that may have passed a lot of people by, yet those who saw it adored it and with good reason. The two leads, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, acted, sung and performed the music they had also written with such apparent ease and emotion it was hard not to fall in love with their story. This was obviously a labour of love for the pair of them.

Once follows a guy and girl who meet randomly while the guy is busking on the streets of Ireland. When the girl finds he has a job repairing vacuum cleaners, she manages to get him to fix her broken one and the two soon discover a shared passion for music.

As the days pass, they learn more about each other's lives and start to realise that by being together and playing music together, they are slowly bringing each other back to life.

Ultimately, their music is cathartic. It voices their inner concerns, their past demons and all that they have tried to overcome. Everything they have felt in life is poured into it, resulting in an incredibly emotional soundtrack that speaks volumes when they cannot.

The play in London - which currently stars Arthur Darvill (Doctor Who) and Zrinka Cvitešić - takes all the elements which made the film such a beautiful story to watch and adds even more passion. The songs remain, as does the story, albeit with a few tweaks to suit the production. There is also an added layer of humour which only serves to heighten the darker emotional scenes as the two musicians realise the extent of their feelings for one another. Cvitešić will sing with the voice of an angel, break your heart and then make you laugh.

Overall, the beautiful simplicity of the film, which is lovely and a joy to watch, is surpassed in the play adaptation by the extra layer of intensity. The play is such an immersive production that it really does pull you in. 

See it! Then get the soundtrack and check out the film so you can keep appreciating (or singing!) the enchanting songs. This is a story to be enjoyed more than just Once.

Film - 4/5 FOBLES
Play - 5/5 FOBLES

Next #bookvsfilmclub will find The Fault in Our Stars

The next #bookvsfilmclub has been chosen and it will be The Fault in Our Stars.

Based on the book by John Green, the film is set to arrive in June. So if you've read the book or are excited by the film then get tweeting using the hashtag or tweet me at @filmvsbook for more info.

Hazel and Gus are two extraordinary teenagers who share an acerbic wit, a disdain for the conventional, and a love that sweeps them -- and us – on an unforgettable journey. Their relationship is all the more miraculous, given that they met and fell in love at a cancer support group. THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, based upon the number-one bestselling novel by John Green, explores the funny, thrilling and tragic business of being alive and in love.

According to this new featurette, it seems Green was delighted with the chemistry between the two stars, Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort.

Alongside Woodley and Elgort, The Fault in Our Stars also stars Willem Dafoe, Sam Trammel and Laura Dern.